Aim. The purpose is to show how small European countries that do not have their own significant energy resources manage to create an energy complex which allows these countries to achieve a high level of economic development and to provide their citizens with high social standards. Methodology. Statistical data provided in international and European statistical yearbooks is used to reveal the spatial organization of the energy complex of the Northern European countries. The comparative-geographical method is mainly used, as well as the method of geopolitical analysis, taking into account the socio-economic factor, which makes it possible to conduct an analysis at a time when intercountry integration in the region began to manifest itself most clearly. Results. The national energy systems of Scandinavia are a complex organism with a multi-vector orientation. These countries have created a common energy space, where there are unified energy trading rules, and there are no cross-border duties on the purchase and sale of electricity. From the middle of the twentieth century a state monopoly was established for the production and transmission of electricity. Research implications. The research materials can be used in the work of international councils, in particular, on the Arctic, in which Russia takes part, as well as in the training students on geography and economics departments.

Aim. The purpose is to study the features of the development and existence of domestic small and medium-sized businesses over the past decade, which are an important component of the country's national economy. Methodology. The institutional environment of private business at the present stage is assessed. The statistical material is analyzed. The theoretical and methodological basis of the paper relies on the works of authors directly involved in business, as well as on the research of the authors who consider this economic activity from a methodological point of view. Results. The paper deals with specific situations that hinder the normal development and existence of small and medium-sized businesses. The issue of changing the institutional environment of the economy is becoming especially relevant in connection with the challenges associated with sanctions against Russia, as well as the serious dependence of the country's budget on raw materials. Domestic entrepreneurship as a whole can be considered as a dynamically developing sector of the economy, contributing to its diversification that is currently an important issue for the economic policy of the state. Therefore, small and medium-sized business could become the locomotive and would lead the country out of further technological and socio-economic trouble. Research implications. The research results can be used in practical activities to study the state and problems of domestic small and medium-sized businesses. The significance of the work lies in the fact that it shows the current state of small and medium-sized businesses.

Aim. The purpose is to identify the nature of the dissection of the slope surfaces of the mountain-forest belt of the Greater Caucasus under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors and to show their role in the development of regional nature management. Methodology. In the region under consideration, the most important morphometric differences are identified based on the results of remote sensing data processing. The state of the soil and vegetation cover under different morphometric conditions is studied. Results. It is shown that areas with relatively weak vertical stratification of less than 200 m/km2 in the southeast of the territory extend up to the highlands (2200 m), which is explained by the tectonic processes. The development of erosion processes is found to be influenced significantly by the anthropogenic factor in the form of cattle breeding. Areas with the highest vertical stratification (> 800 m/km2) occupy small areas, but at the same time, they require a more careful approach in terms of exodynamic hazards. Research implications. The results of the study can be used to select the most vulnerable areas for the purpose of environmental protection, including forest reclamation.

Aim. The purpose is to assess permissible phosphorus loads on water reservoirs in Russia. Methodology. Allowable phosphorus loads are calculated for 21 water reservoirs, allowing the reservoirs to remain in an oligotrophic status. Calculations are performed by Follenweider, Follenweider-Dillon and Lozovik methods. The study is carried out on the basis of mathematical models linking the permissible phosphorus loads on reservoirs with their morphometric, hydrological and assimilation characteristics. Results. A statistically significant relationship is established between the permissible phosphorus loads on reservoirs and the areas of their catchments. Research implications. The revealed quantitative ratios allow environmental organizations to make informed decisions about the necessary reduction of anthropogenic load on reservoirs.

Aim. The purpose is to identify probabilistic sources of groundwater pollution in the Tyumen agglomeration on the basis of the presented data. Methodology. The paper presents the results of the author's analysis of long-term data on groundwater pollutants in the Tyumen agglomeration. The information basis for the study is the geographic information system of overlay data, as a result of the collection, processing and systematization of data for a 12-year period of field research of “Tyumengeomonitoring”. Anthropogenic markers - lead and petroleum products - are identified as the studied pollutants. Research relies on geoinformation, cartographic, statistical, and comparative methods. Use is made of holistic methodology of the landscape-ecological information system. Results. The sampling sites and the spatio-temporal changes in the distribution of pollutants are described. The probabilistic reasons for exceeding the maximum permissible concentrations are presented. The sources of a negative impact on the underground waters of the Tyumen agglomeration are identified. Research implications. The work is of interest for researchers of groundwater pollution in modern Siberian agglomerations.

Aim. We analyze the current trends of migration of the rural population in the municipal districts of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Methodology. The information basis of the study is the data of official statistics on the rural population of municipal districts for 10 years (from 2010 to 2019) with regard to the number of migrants who arrived and left, as well as data on natural movement to calculate the total population growth (loss). For the assessment, the migration balance in municipal districts and economic subdistricts is compared. The assessment is conducted for the economic subdistricts of the region. Comparisons are performed within and between subdistricts. Results. The main trends in the migration of the rural population are identified. In most regions of the Republic of Bashkortostan, there is a constant migration decline in the population during the time period under consideration. Only 3 out of 54 municipal districts show a constant increase in migration. The greatest migration decline is observed in the economic subdistricts located in the north of the region, as well as in the Western Economic Subdistrict. Migration growth is most often observed in the Central Economic Subdistrict. The location near the capital affects the migration situation in the municipal districts. In all areas adjacent to the Ufa district, there is an increase in the population in some years. The rural population most often leaves the districts for economic reasons. A conclusion is made about the current features and trends of the migration movement in the municipal districts of the Republic of Bashkortostan. Research implications. The main features of migration of the rural population in the period under consideration are revealed. The results of the study can be used in the adoption of strategies, concepts and programs for the socio-economic development of the region.

Aim. The purpose is to identify the geocultural features of ethnic interaction in the central regions of the Stavropol Krai. Methodology. The identification of the current ethno-cultural situation in the region is carried out on the basis of a set of sociological and statistical methods. Sociological research is conducted in view of the need to supplement and confirm the reliability of the available statistical data. Results. The paper considers the geocultural aspects of ethnic interaction in the central regions of the Stavropol Krai. In connection with the transitional, unstable state of the ethno-cultural communities of the region, we have identified, described and analyzed the problems of reproduction of traditional elements of culture, ethno-cultural interaction and, in general, modern geocultural processes in the central regions of the Stavropol Krai. Research implications. The results of this work contribute to the development of regional cultural and geographical studies of interethnic interaction, and can be used to optimize regional policy on the organization of monitoring of ethno-cultural processes, the preservation and reproduction of the unique cultural and natural heritage of the region.